patty_lubo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Oh my god, this story is just... chef's kiss! I thought it would be darker and more kinky but it is so damn cute and sexy. I love how unapologetic Ophelia is about herself and what she wants, and how clueless Allerick is, all his confusion was so adorable that I didin't even mind the miscommunication trope (I usually can't stand that). The spicy scenes were really good I just wished we got more romance too, maybe a more intense and heartwarming love declaration, it felt so short and rushed!
I really liked Colette's writing though and I'm happy this is a series so I can continue reading about these characters and world. I hope we get some glimpses of Allerick and Ophelia in the second book because I'm not ready to let them go, they're such sweethearts!
I really liked Colette's writing though and I'm happy this is a series so I can continue reading about these characters and world. I hope we get some glimpses of Allerick and Ophelia in the second book because I'm not ready to let them go, they're such sweethearts!
rayne_99's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this monster romance! It had omegaverse vibes to it with the biting, knotting, and perfuming which I loved. The first half of this book for me was a perfect five stars. Watching how Ophelia adapted to this new world and form relationships with everyone was very fun. I liked how many of them had reservations but as they got to know her, they slowly became friends. I also really enjoyed the miscommunication in the book. I think the way the author used that trope was perfectly done here as it wasn't used just as the third act conflict but right from the beginning. It gave this rather sweet love story some tension and angst at the beginning drawing out the will they/won't they. It was clear they both wanted each other but were holding back because of their misinterpretation of how the other was feeling. I loved how Ophelia had a back bone and wasn't going to just let Allerick used her like she believed he was. Then once he discovered her drawings, there was a complete 180 in their relationship and we got some pretty hot scenes.
I only had a few issues with the book. One being, I wished we got more of their relationship than just the sexual aspect. That was one of the main conflicts in their relationship with their lack of communication but I wanted to see just a few more sweet moments in between the sex to show their developing feelings for one another. I also felt like the main "bad guy" in the book was in there without much reasoning. It just didn't flow with the story as easily as I would have liked it but I clearly didn't care about it too much as I still really enjoyed the book. There are also still a lot of unanswered questions but considering this is just the first book in this series, I am hoping they will be explained later on.
I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this story and it definitely carried this book for me. This was a very enjoyable read that had a little paranormal, and little ovegaverse, but still was fairly unique in its own way. I am vey excited to read the next book in this series when in comes out next year!
I only had a few issues with the book. One being, I wished we got more of their relationship than just the sexual aspect. That was one of the main conflicts in their relationship with their lack of communication but I wanted to see just a few more sweet moments in between the sex to show their developing feelings for one another. I also felt like the main "bad guy" in the book was in there without much reasoning. It just didn't flow with the story as easily as I would have liked it but I clearly didn't care about it too much as I still really enjoyed the book. There are also still a lot of unanswered questions but considering this is just the first book in this series, I am hoping they will be explained later on.
I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this story and it definitely carried this book for me. This was a very enjoyable read that had a little paranormal, and little ovegaverse, but still was fairly unique in its own way. I am vey excited to read the next book in this series when in comes out next year!
crazycactus12321's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ttaufalele's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
Overall, this was an easy read that had an intriguing story line! There were some hilarious 1 liners throughout the book, and I mostly enjoyed both of the main characters.
The world that it's set in with the Hunter and Shades is something really unique. They both live in their own seperate realms and can only travel using a portal between the two. I've never read another story like this one, and it was a novelty.
What I didn't like:
At times the story felt jumpy between the scenes. Like it would be talking about one thing happening, and then jump to another time period and it didn't feel like a natural transition.
There also seemed to be a few things that were under developed, like with the characters and the world building. I wanted more information on both because I have so many questions. Like what does Alderick do when he leaves exactly? What are the roles of the council? More personality/info between the two main characters other than they are horny for each other and one is sweet and one is salty.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens. I think the author left the end of this book at a really good transition spot to pick back up on in the next one.
Overall, this was an easy read that had an intriguing story line! There were some hilarious 1 liners throughout the book, and I mostly enjoyed both of the main characters.
The world that it's set in with the Hunter and Shades is something really unique. They both live in their own seperate realms and can only travel using a portal between the two. I've never read another story like this one, and it was a novelty.
What I didn't like:
At times the story felt jumpy between the scenes. Like it would be talking about one thing happening, and then jump to another time period and it didn't feel like a natural transition.
There also seemed to be a few things that were under developed, like with the characters and the world building. I wanted more information on both because I have so many questions. Like what does Alderick do when he leaves exactly? What are the roles of the council? More personality/info between the two main characters other than they are horny for each other and one is sweet and one is salty.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens. I think the author left the end of this book at a really good transition spot to pick back up on in the next one.
totallymindful's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lauralivesathome's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
swampgoddess's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This was really enjoyable. Love the world, love the characters. Part of the end felt a little rushed, and there was a little repetition. Those are my only complaints.
Also not sure why it's called Luxuria.
Also not sure why it's called Luxuria.
earthtonadia's review against another edition
5.0
My first 5 star read of the year and a very well deserved one indeed.
This book has been on my TBR for ages, and I’ve heard so much about it, but for some reason I never picked it up. I’m kicking myself for not reading this sooner. This world, these characters, the writing… absolute perfection. I was engrossed from the start. Ophelia’s resilience and spunk was the perfect match to Allerick’s broody and regal nature. Their relationship was so pure, even though they both came from entirely different worlds and thrown into a marriage that appeared to be doomed from the start. It was so much fun getting to know these two and to see them grow closer. It had a wholesome feel to it even though both of them were skeptical of the other’s intentions, but it worked.
And of course the smut was so soooo good. So hot. The omegaverse aspect was scorching hot — scenting, rutting, knotting, growly possessiveness, the whole nine yards. Chef’s kiss.
I’m so excited for the next book!!! May can’t come soon enough
This book has been on my TBR for ages, and I’ve heard so much about it, but for some reason I never picked it up. I’m kicking myself for not reading this sooner. This world, these characters, the writing… absolute perfection. I was engrossed from the start. Ophelia’s resilience and spunk was the perfect match to Allerick’s broody and regal nature. Their relationship was so pure, even though they both came from entirely different worlds and thrown into a marriage that appeared to be doomed from the start. It was so much fun getting to know these two and to see them grow closer. It had a wholesome feel to it even though both of them were skeptical of the other’s intentions, but it worked.
And of course the smut was so soooo good. So hot. The omegaverse aspect was scorching hot — scenting, rutting, knotting, growly possessiveness, the whole nine yards. Chef’s kiss.
I’m so excited for the next book!!! May can’t come soon enough